Archive | Kitchens

Belgian kitchens have been highly influential because they present a beautiful lifestyle aesthetic.

I’m very late to the Belgian kitchens party. Over the past six or seven years they have been shown, explained, copied and widely admired. Classic Belgian kitchens — like these by designer Joris Van Apers — led the way towards the so-called “social kitchen,” which includes a dining room table and even upholstered furniture. Additionally, Belgian kitchens tend to have high ceilings, stucco walls, built in storage cupboards, stone or vintage flooring, and sometimes even a fireplace. For Americans, they represent “old world” looks and grace.

As a backsplash to set the tone for a neutral kitchen there’s nothing like dimensional honeycomb tile.

When an internet mogul built a vacation home in Costa Rica, Atlanta designer Beth Webb was hired to create the décor. Channeling the dark, rustic Latin look of homes in Central America, and mixing it up with the needs of second home for upscale clients, the result was classic, elegant and yet slightly exotic blend of whites, creams and taupes. In the kitchen [top] that meant a neutral scheme, one of subtle richness based on Ann Sacks’ dimensional Nottingham honeycomb tile in Veil.
A honeycomb pattern is small scale, easy on the eyes and yet visually distinctive.… Continue Reading

French Bistro shelves are making cameo appearances on kitchen islands and counters.

Like most shelving in the kitchen, these traditional French bistro shelves have a specific character which can make them a great accessory. Long used in restaurants for displaying food, wines or collectibles they also were partial screens to block certain lines of sight while at the same time revving up appetites.

In home kitchens — particularly on an island — bistro shelves may be focal points if not conversation pieces. The glass shelving is transparent, so what goes on the shelves is showcased by the metal support posts. The bottoms can be separate metal disks like the lightly scaled set in a Florida estate kitchen decorated by Yawn Design [top].… Continue Reading

It’s rare to see a kitchen where the focal point is a custom Diva de Provence gas range with traditional old-world style.

Diva de Provence ranges are a rarity because the Diva brand is no longer available in the U.S. and Canada except through commercial kitchen suppliers. Previously known for pioneering induction ranges, the Diva withdrew from the U.S. and Canadian markets about five years ago. However, Diva evidently will still make a custom commercial style gas range. These don’t come with conventional warranties or service so special arrangements through a restaurant supplier, are required.

To that end, Connecticut designer Emma Jane Pilkington turned to Maverick Cuisine, a New Jersey based restaurant design company to supply the Diva for her own home.… Continue Reading

Nothing creates a more lively kitchen backsplash than geometric tile!

Geometric tile patterns are great repeaters of colors and shape — that’s their beauty and their cool look. That effect can be accomplished with a variety of tile types from cement to encaustic because colored patterns are integral. But what’s trending these days are large-scale geometric patterns that add modern notes to kitchens, even those which are rustic or cottage style.

A 19th-century cast iron stove found new life as the base of an island in a London mansion kitchen.

Square, and not extremely large, this unique cast iron stove island has amazing green cred plus extraordinary character and presence — from the contrasting brass inserts in the doors to the beefy handle on the former front of the range.

It’s one thing to repurpose a wooden antique such as a hutch, dresser or even an old piano — which was done for a quirky Victorian home I featured in my Old Piano Kitchen post. But for this 1881 brick house restoration, Roberto Peregalli and his design partner Laura Sartori Rimini required specialized craftsmen to essentially remake an antique stove.… Continue Reading